POLITICS
US ANALYSTS CALL NATO TO STRENGTHEN ITS ROLE ON SOUTHERN CAUCASUS
At the forum, which has been lead by institute, authors have acquainted representatives of political circles in Washington with the basic moments of the uncompleted research. The 90-page scientific work included conditions of safety in each of three states of Southern Caucasus, interests of various geo-politic forces in region, military potential of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, the detailed information on the program “Partnership for Peace”, carried out here by NATO, the materials displaying the military assistance by the USA and the Western circles to Georgia and Azerbaijan. Then, the authors have presented their recommendations concerning policy of NATO in the states of Southern Caucasus.
Speaking at the forum, Vladimir Sokor noted that earlier the West looked at Southern Caucasus as the region located on border of Europe and Asia. Recently such approach has changed. The reason is connected to three factors – weakening of the authority of Russia in region, revealing of huge natural resources of the Caspian basin being a key for the future power resources of the West, and the role, which plays the region in antiterrorist struggle. Vladimir Sokor marks that there is a need for wider participation of the NATO in the region. In his opinion, summit of the Alliance, which will be held in Istanbul in June of this year, can become a favorable forum for demonstration of support of intentions of Georgia and Azerbaijan to become members of the NATO and for statement by the Alliance of priorities of safety on Southern Caucasus. The cooperation offered by NATO to these two countries, should touch and Armenia. However, the question on membership of Azerbaijan and Georgia in the Alliance should not depend on objections of Armenia and Russia.
Speakers at the forum have emphasized that to speak about regional economic or social development, not having provided safety of Southern Caucasus, is inappropriate. In this sense, the Armenian-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict and other conflicts in region should be shortly settled, and available foreign military forces should be removed from the region.